Lidl has since withdrawn its application and resubmitted it after issues were raised about the original design and access on the 1.9-acre site.

The plans include a 25,920 sq ft store and 121 parking spaces - three fewer than the first application. It is expected to create the equivalent of 20 full-time jobs.

Coun Timothy Huxtable (Con Bournville) said: "I believe that, although the council was comfortable with the principle of a food store on this site, it was not happy with the detailed design of their original submission.

"It's highly probable that, rather than this be taken for a refusal to planning committee, the applicant has withdrawn this and replaced it with a new design and new application."

Coun Huxtable and community groups wanted the supermarket chain to consider other sites in the ward.

He added: "While I always welcome inward investment into Stirchley, my Conservative colleagues and I believe this application by Lidl is on the wrong site.

"There are several derelict sites in Stirchley and I believe these sites are more suitable for such a development than a site with two popular local businesses, which add to the area as leisure facilities."

Comments on the application can be submitted until February 25.

Elsewhere, a representative from Aldi will be speaking at the Oscott Ward Meeting on Thursday after the supermarket chain announced plans to build a store right next to the Asda supermarket, off Old Horns Crescent in Great Barr.

There have been concerns about the potential increase in traffic and Coun Keith Linnecor (Lab Oscott) has urged anyone who has not been to the initial consultations to attend and submit their views.